From the Journal Record:

Arts Council official excited about downtown OKC’s changing landscape

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record October 6, 20140

OKLAHOMA CITY – The 49th-annual Festival of the Arts will stay at the Myriad Botanical Gardens and across S. Hudson Avenue, but the 2016 festival could be at one of two places, said Arts Council of Oklahoma City Executive Director Peter Dolese.

He said the organization is considering moving the festival to Bicentennial Park, between City Hall and the Civic Center, or to the Myriad Botanical Gardens’ northeast corner, closing down Ron Norick Boulevard and W. Sheridan Avenue.

“I’m excited about the changes,” Dolese said. “This is an opportunity for us to take a good look at downtown Oklahoma City and what works best for the event. There’s good options with both areas.”

The Arts Council will test the Bicentennial Park site on New Year’s Eve for its annual Opening Night Finale event. Using the park will allow the organization to shoot larger fireworks, Dolese said.

“You’ll get a chance to see how the park looks packed with people,” he said.

The Festival of the Arts must move in 2016, when development is slated to begin at the southwest corner of Sheridan and Hudson avenues, the future home of OGE Energy Corp.’s new building and the former site of Stage Center. The south portion of the 3.15-acre site is owned by the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust, which turned the property over to the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority. OCURA issued a request for qualified proposals to develop the site and received two responses. Responses came from Chicago-based Clayco Inc., the company developing the OGE tower, and Indianapolis-based Milhaus Development, which built the LIFT apartment complex at NW 10th Street and Shartel Avenue in Midtown.

On the north side, Clayco has proposed building two towers as part of the original OGE site plans: a 26-story office tower and a 25-story residential building. On the south end, the company has proposed a 25-story commercial building and a 26-story, 253-unit apartment building. The north towers are expected to cost $250 million, while $280 million would be spent on the south-side towers.

Milhaus proposed a 20-story mixed-use building, with residential, commercial and parking garage space. The tower would have 300 residential units, 15,000 square feet of commercial space and 450 parking spaces. The project would cost an estimated $80 million.

Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority Executive Director Cathy O’Connor said she was pleased with the proposals.

“We got two good proposals,” she said. “One is high-density residential, and the other is mixed use. They’re both from developers that have really good track records and lots of experience with similar projects with other places.”

OCURA will review the proposals and could make a decision about a project at its special meeting Nov. 4. If no decision can be reached then, it could decide at its regular meeting Nov. 19.

O’Connor said the board could take into consideration Clayco’s commitment to the OGE building when deciding on a proposal. She said there is no timeline for when the decision has to be made; however, she knows the developers want to get started.

“They have fairly aggressive time schedules,” she said. “They both recognize there are tenants on the site. They will have to help with relocation of those tenants to other places. They both included options for that as part of their response.”

If Milhaus has to find another spot for their development, is it still definite that it will be residential and not office?

They really only do residential. They call some projects mixed use but that's only because, like LIFT, they have some small amount of retail.

I believe they are looking at the 4th & EKG site recently purchased by Land Run / Jonathan Russell.

They really only do residential. They call some projects mixed use but that's only because, like LIFT, they have some small amount of retail.

I believe they are looking at the 4th & EKG site recently purchased by Land Run / Jonathan Russell.

Thanks Pete. And what is the size of the south of Stage Center lot versus the 4th and EK Gaylord lot?

Thanks Pete. And what is the size of the south of Stage Center lot versus the 4th and EK Gaylord lot?

The South Parcel on this block is just under 3 acres.

The property Land Run bought at 4th & EKG is 1.8 acres but the City owns 1.1 adjacent acres that could be come part of that development.

They really only do residential. They call some projects mixed use but that's only because, like LIFT, they have some small amount of retail.

I believe they are looking at the 4th & EKG site recently purchased by Land Run / Jonathan Russell.

I'm not so sure that initially that wouldn't be the better site for residential considering its proximity to Midtown and Deep Deuce.

I'm not so sure that initially that wouldn't be the better site for residential considering its proximity to Midtown and Deep Deuce.

They also might just develop part of that property, with Land Run and/or someone else developing the balance.

BTW, I wanted to clear something up I said about the Preftakes block.

The rendering below shows that entire block redeveloped apart from the City-owned building and the few small buildings to the west (Coney Island, etc.). It's interesting that Clayco specifically shows this and in other places labels that block "anticipated future development".

At first I thought it was a clear sign of what may be in the works but then noted that it also shows the bus station as demolished, something I had assumed would never happen.

However, I believe there may be a shift in thinking now that the development stakes are being raised by Clayco.

I do know Preftakes has been coordinating with Rainey Williams and Clayco to lease One North Hudson for their construction offices during this multi-year project. So, they have had plenty of conversations about how their respective properties will proceed.


What may be happening is that the Preftakes block has become too important and the land too valuable to devote a good chunk of it to a one-story building. I'm beginning to think that the Main & Hudson building will be somewhere between 15 and 25 floors (this has been the most recent buzz) and that when it is completed along with the Clayco project, the entire rest of this block will give way to buildings of a large scale.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/9261d1412690083-south-stage-center-stagenew6.jpg

BTW, Clayco is calling the entire project (both the north and south parcels) the "OG&E Energy Center" and "OGE&C".

Here is another interesting snippet from the Clayco proposal:


OG&E owns property generally located south of SW 3rd
Street between South Broadway and Shields Boulevard
(OG&E South Broadway Property). In support of
downtown redevelopment efforts, Clayco is in a position
to provide OCURA the opportunity to include the South
Broadway Property owned by OG&E as available for
future redevelopment projects. OG&E is prepared to enter
into an arrangement by which this property would be
available to OCURA, subject to agreement on a fair market
price, accommodation of existing conditions, uses and
occupancies and other considerations.

Wow. THAT is a fascinating tidbit.

Is this referencing their ugly gold building on Shields?

After going through everything a second time, the only thing I am slightly disappointed about is in regards to the residential not being adjacent to MBG. From the mock-ups, it appears a view of the MBG from the residential towers will be blocked by the two office towers.

Is this referencing their ugly gold building on Shields?

Yes. It's primo property right across from the arena:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ogebroadway.jpg

The video interview by Steve said they positioned the towers so all of them have good views

Speaking of, I don't think I've seen the article with that interview linked yet:

Competing developers hope to build high-rise housing in downtown Oklahoma City | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/competing-developers-hope-to-build-high-rise-housing-in-downtown-oklahoma-city/article/5349293)

So, in theory, if Clayco gets the go ahead on the OG&E and Residential tower on the north part of the block, the 2015 Arts Festival could go on relatively unchanged if the construction is limited to that block and not overlapping into the festival plaza south of it, correct?

Encouraged by possibilities of new development; this will get the attention of the OKCPS district. My daughter works as a substitute; she's fascinated with the new John Rex Elementary.

There's a waiting list for many downtown workers (with elementary age level children) who want transfers for their children. The OKCPS usually consider 'in district' transfers as a priority to out-of-district transfers. There are cases where they reciprocate with a border district like Millwood & Putnam City.

Who knows? That could be subject to change. Wouldn't rule out expansion of John Rex Elementary School as a possibility.

To clarify this, they did not even get to the 3rd tier for enrollment, which is downtown employees with kids OUTSIDE of OKCPS. There is no reciprocation with bordering districts. Tier 2 remains kids outside of Rex's attendance zone but within OKCPS. They did not clear that entire 2nd tier list for this school year. The odds of any 3rd tier kids getting in to Rex is slim to none.

So, in theory, if Clayco gets the go ahead on the OG&E and Residential tower on the north part of the block, the 2015 Arts Festival could go on relatively unchanged if the construction is limited to that block and not overlapping into the festival plaza south of it, correct?

As I understand it the 2015 Art's Festival will be unaffected because construction for both north and south portions is scheduled to start after the AF with the north half starting first.

As I understand it the 2015 Art's Festival will be unaffected because construction for both north and south portions is scheduled to start after the AF with the north half starting first.

The north half looks to begin in March 2015, and the Arts Festival is usually in April or May. I doubt anything will be coming out of the ground by April or May, but I'm sure site prep work for the north complex will be underway.

As I understand it the 2015 Art's Festival will be unaffected because construction for both north and south portions is scheduled to start after the AF with the north half starting first.

Here is a quote from the article:

"The timeline by Clayco suggests the company is eager to start construction, with work set to start on a 25-story OGE Energy Corp. headquarters by March 2015. The company wants to build a 26-story residential tower at the corner of Walker and Sheridan Avenues a month later. And yeah, these two buildings are very real. The land is owned by Rainey Williams, and the only question left is how long until the project will win approval from the city’s Downtown Design Review Committee."

The 2015 Arts Festival is supposed to take place April 21-26.

From an article by Steve in today's paper - "Both groups propose starting construction in 2015 after next year's festival."

I'm not sure which date is right I'm just telling you where I saw my date. You would think either group could delay their start by a couple of weeks to accommodate the AF.

Time frame (start construction / finish construction):

OG&E Officer Tower: MAR 15 / APR 17
North Residential: APR 15 / JUL 16

South Office Tower: JUL 15 / JUL 17
South Residential: FEB 16 / JUL 17

Here's the construction schedule -

To clarify this, they did not even get to the 3rd tier for enrollment, which is downtown employees with kids OUTSIDE of OKCPS. There is no reciprocation with bordering districts. Tier 2 remains kids outside of Rex's attendance zone but within OKCPS. They did not clear that entire 2nd tier list for this school year. The odds of any 3rd tier kids getting in to Rex is slim to none.


pahdz: I'll send you a private response to avoid getting :ot:

I wish there were more height variation amongst the buildings to add more visual interest.

We already have 4 high rises downtown in the 400 ft. range.

A prophecy: this area will be known as "The Quad".

I wish there were more height variation amongst the buildings to add more visual interest.

We already have 4 high rises downtown in the 400 ft. range.

It would be nice to see a variation like the GM in Detroit if they build the hotel 10-15 stories taller.

It would be nice to see a variation like the GM in Detroit if they build the hotel 10-15 stories taller.

The hotel pics in the graphics had it at 20 floors. So 5 or 6 floors shorter.

The hotel pics in the graphics had it at 20 floors. So 5 or 6 floors shorter.

I know. I am talking about it would look cool if the hotel was 10-15 stories taller than the others, kind of like the GM complex in Detroit.

A prophecy: this area will be known as "The Quad".

No thanks. That makes me think of a naked Will Ferrell streaking to the Quad in Old School.

I know. I am talking about it would look cool if the hotel was 10-15 stories taller than the others, kind of like the GM complex in Detroit.

Gotcha.....

Someone help me out here:

"On the north side, Clayco has proposed building two towers as part of the original OGE site plans: a 26-story office tower and a 25-story residential building. On the south end, the company has proposed a 25-story commercial building and a 26-story, 253-unit apartment building. The north towers are expected to cost $250 million, while $280 million would be spent on the south-side towers."

If there are two towers on each side and they are of the same height, why is there a $30 million dollar difference? Is that where the parking is going?

I wondered the same thing, maybe because the Stage Center site is completely cleared.

Someone help me out here:

"On the north side, Clayco has proposed building two towers as part of the original OGE site plans: a 26-story office tower and a 25-story residential building. On the south end, the company has proposed a 25-story commercial building and a 26-story, 253-unit apartment building. The north towers are expected to cost $250 million, while $280 million would be spent on the south-side towers."

If there are two towers on each side and they are of the same height, why is there a $30 million dollar difference? Is that where the parking is going?

Perhaps because there is demolition involved, they have to pay to relocate the existing tenants, may have to buy out La Luna, etc.

I wondered the same thing, maybe because the Stage Center site is completely cleared.

I don't think it would cost $30 million to clear the south part. Maybe there is more retail or a lot more detail to the apartments that drive the price up.

Do we know when the official details for this project will be released? Like the official height for each building and building specs, materials? After 11/04/2014?

Do we know when the official details for this project will be released? Like the official height for each building and building specs, materials? After 11/04/2014?

Nothing is official until approved by the Downtown Design Review Committee and they won't submit their plans until after OCURA makes a final choice on who gets the property.

So does OCURA meet on Nov 4 to decide the fate of the property OR is that when the DDRC meets to approve the final designs?

Am I correct that Clayco already is approved for the Stage Center site, so they actually do not need DDRC approval to start there? OR, do they still need final approval from DDRC to start at the Stage Center?

In other words, if there should be a delay in approving Clayco for the South parcel; couldn't they still start construction on the OGE Tower and North Residential in Mar/April as they plan? Or, does Clayco still need final design approval from DDRC to even begin work at their approved Stage Center parcel?

So does OCURA meet on Nov 4 to decide the fate of the property OR is that when the DDRC meets to approve the final designs?

Am I correct that Clayco already is approved for the Stage Center site, so they actually do not need DDRC approval to start there? OR, do they still need final approval from DDRC to start at the Stage Center?

In other words, if there should be a delay in approving Clayco for the South parcel; couldn't they still start construction on the OGE Tower and North Residential in Mar/April as they plan? Or, does Clayco still need final design approval from DDRC to even begin work at their approved Stage Center parcel?

No idea on the first question.

Clayco was already brought in on the Stage Center site, there is still things which will need approval in the future but it was stated that the plan is pretty much the same for the stage center development whatever happens on the south side (though obviously they would not build the same glass connector halfway to a non existent building)

As long as they are still considering building on the south land then there is probably good reason to have the scheduled synced for things like rotating the same crews around, since a long delays between buildings could mean either having to bring in new specialists or compensate them for waiting around for the next job to start. Since they are not starting any of the building till next year and are doing the north side first, then it probably will not be a major issue.

You'd think they could come up with something more original than Devon Energy Center.

Wait for it, wait for it... my point exactly.

Fair park, where there will also be construction underway for the new expo center? that doesn't seem like a good fit.
a temporary move is not big deal to me. I imagine it will eventually find its home in the new central park once that is complete but bicentenial park isn't a bad fit. could create some great Traffic for the arts museum.

The construction of four to six towers (includes OG&E) downtown will be a challenge for the Festival of the Arts. True we love the Myriad Botanical Garden Background; however, until the downtown Central Park is built, temporary adjustments will have to be made.

You've got a 400 acre Fair Park Complex, the new Expo Hall construction shouldn't be a challenge to temporarily host the Festival of the Arts.

This would be a good time to experiment with the Arts Festival at Fair Park. They have the utility hook-ups in place; plenty of parking. You could probably include a mini-amusement section to the Festival of the Arts; you might find higher attendance with the use of Fairgrounds.

Set up the small tents, amusement park rides and you could expand the footprint of the Arts Festival.

Just maybe its success could draw interest from Fair Board executives to construct another 'Arrows to Atoms' Space Tower and Monorail.

What about the possibilities of a Medieval Arts Fair theme once the Arts Festival lands a permanent home at Central Park. A Medieval Arts Fair could be co-sponsored by one of the local city colleges (OCU, UCO, OCCC, Rose State) along with the Fair Board.

The more outdoor Fairs and Festivals we host at the Fair Park complex, the possibly exists for something other than 'expo halls' and 'barns' to be constructed on the site.

IMO moving it to fair park would be a HORRIBLE idea. OKC should be able to host downtown during construction no problem. If the CC doesn't start construction for a year, shut down part of Reno, and you have the parking lots where the old car lot should be. That's currently more space than the festival uses now, and you keep the great DT and park atmosphere which makes the festival such a hit.

Totally agree. It can/should/will be left downtown, where it belongs.

IMO moving it to fair park would be a HORRIBLE idea. OKC should be able to host downtown during construction no problem. If the CC doesn't start construction for a year, shut down part of Reno, and you have the parking lots where the old car lot should be. That's currently more space than the festival uses now, and you keep the great DT and park atmosphere which makes the festival such a hit.

Completely agree. The arts festival needs to be downtown to be a success. Moving it to the fairgrounds would be a huge mistake.

Completely agree. The arts festival needs to be downtown to be a success. Moving it to the fairgrounds would be a huge mistake.
agreed.. and please don't ever do a medieval arts fair theme for the festival of the arts!

I think bicentinneal is a great temporary location and actually might breathe some life into that park and show us how it could be used.

:ot: … I wonder if we could move the Festival discussion to a new/different thread and keep the conversation focused on the actual thread topic/title... :backtotop

I think bicentinneal is a great temporary location and actually might breathe some life into that park and show us how it could be used.

I don't think Bicentennial Park is supposed to be "used" in the traditional sense. Yes, I could see some folks throwing a Frisbee but it's really an extension of the design of the municipal complex. I actually kind of like it.

But I think the constant saber rattling of the "park isn't being used" variety misses what that space provides -- a visual connection between City Hall and the Civic Center.

I don't think Bicentennial Park is supposed to be "used" in the traditional sense. Yes, I could see some folks throwing a Frisbee but it's really an extension of the design of the municipal complex. I actually kind of like it.

But I think the constant saber rattling of the "park isn't being used" variety misses what that space provides -- a visual connection between City Hall and the Civic Center.

Like.

:ot: … I wonder if we could move the Festival discussion to a new/different thread and keep the conversation focused on the actual thread topic/title... :backtotop+1

+1

All in favor say I

I don't think Bicentennial Park is supposed to be "used" in the traditional sense. Yes, I could see some folks throwing a Frisbee but it's really an extension of the design of the municipal complex. I actually kind of like it.

But I think the constant saber rattling of the "park isn't being used" variety misses what that space provides -- a visual connection between City Hall and the Civic Center.

Agree. I've come to like it a lot, and actually see it used (mostly for events) much more than people think it is.

The amount of construction that is going to be taking place downtown in the next 5 years or so is staggering. A lot of the surface parking spaces in Bricktown are filling up (the new Canopy Hilton, etc). Then we've got at least 4 and potentially 5 towers on this site, then we've got the Preftakes tower (potentially a second to follow, but probably outside of the 5 years). There's the convention center and a likely hotel. There's a proposed 10+ story building on Robert S Kerr. There's the Milhaus 20 story tower possibly on 4th and EKG. It's incredible. We're talking about nearly doubling our skyline before 2020, with an absolute ton of infill. And that's just the stuff we know about.

^

One big wildcard in all of this: Continental.

Hamm's divorce is getting ready to settle and the company is still going great guns.

They will soon be renovating the top 4 floors of their building at 20 N. Broadway once the law firm leaves for the Braniff Building, which should be soon.

But no way does that accommodate their long-term needs.

Would love to see them buy and renovate the Cotter Ranch Tower but if that doesn't happen, they are going to have to build.

They will soon be renovating the top 4 floors of their building at 20 N. Broadway once the law firm leaves for the Braniff Building, which should be soon.

Crowe has moved and Continental is already renovating. There's been a construction elevator attached the the SE corner of the building for several weeks.

The amount of construction that is going to be taking place downtown in the next 5 years or so is staggering. A lot of the surface parking spaces in Bricktown are filling up (the new Canopy Hilton, etc). Then we've got at least 4 and potentially 5 towers on this site, then we've got the Preftakes tower (potentially a second to follow, but probably outside of the 5 years). There's the convention center and a likely hotel. There's a proposed 10+ story building on Robert S Kerr. There's the Milhaus 20 story tower possibly on 4th and EKG. It's incredible. We're talking about nearly doubling our skyline before 2020, with an absolute ton of infill. And that's just the stuff we know about.

I was having this same conversation with my wife last night. Hopefully the Boulevard will be completed by 2016 and that could make or break what happens surrounding the C2S park. I honestly feel we are not too far from someone purchasing the Cotton Mill and redeveloping that area because it will become too big, not to redevelop it. Wasn't there a long term proposal along with the Santa Fe station to build a parking garage in front of the U-Haul building and a new bus depot? Hopefully those parking lots on the east end of Reno start to get filled in as well with parking garages/retail/housing. More infill!

Crowe has moved and Continental is already renovating. There's been a construction elevator attached the the SE corner of the building for several weeks.

Wow, Crowe finished out the Braniff space very quickly.

I'm surprised no one has commented or photoed the Braniff being full, with lights on, etc.

Crowe has moved and Continental is already renovating. There's been a construction elevator attached the the SE corner of the building for several weeks.

I was wondering what that red thing was!

The amount of construction that is going to be taking place downtown in the next 5 years or so is staggering. A lot of the surface parking spaces in Bricktown are filling up (the new Canopy Hilton, etc). Then we've got at least 4 and potentially 5 towers on this site, then we've got the Preftakes tower (potentially a second to follow, but probably outside of the 5 years). There's the convention center and a likely hotel. There's a proposed 10+ story building on Robert S Kerr. There's the Milhaus 20 story tower possibly on 4th and EKG. It's incredible. We're talking about nearly doubling our skyline before 2020, with an absolute ton of infill. And that's just the stuff we know about.

Once the new Convention Center is done, we could see a redevelopment of the entire Cox Convention Center block which would be around 2020. Four more towers could easily fit on that piece of land.

I was having this same conversation with my wife last night. Hopefully the Boulevard will be completed by 2016 and that could make or break what happens surrounding the C2S park. I honestly feel we are not too far from someone purchasing the Cotton Mill and redeveloping that area because it will become too big, not to redevelop it. Wasn't there a long term proposal along with the Santa Fe station to build a parking garage in front of the U-Haul building and a new bus depot? Hopefully those parking lots on the east end of Reno start to get filled in as well with parking garages/retail/housing. More infill!

When is construction of the boulevard supposed to ramp up and get going?

When is construction of the boulevard supposed to ramp up and get going?

The west end is done, the east end is under construction and now I think we are just waiting on what ODOT and the city want to do with the Western/Classen/Reno/BLVD intersection. Once the east end is the done, a design should be done and go out to bid.